Elder Abuse in the US - Research Paper Example

Running Head: Elder Abuse Elder Abuse Each year, an increasing number of elderly people are abused in their own residences, in extended family’ houses, and even within facilities in charge for their cure. One may believe that an elderly individual is being harmed physically or psychologically by a careless or ‘overwhelmed caregiver’ or being ‘preyed upon’ monetarily. As elders become physically weak, they are not able to stand up to harassment or retaliate if harassed. They may not see or hear also or sense as clearly as they used to, leaving chances for immoral people to get benefit from them. Psychological or physical disorders may make them more demanding companions for those who live with them. A large number of elders all over the United States are  being abused: harmed in some considerable way often by people who are directly liable for their care. Over half a million accounts of abuse against elderly Americans get to concerned authorities each year, and millions more cases go unheard. Elder abuse is likely to occur where the senior resides; most frequently within the home where abusers are likely to be grown person; other relatives, for instance, grandchildren; or spouses of elders. Institutional situations particularly continuing care services can as well be sources of elder abuse. Every year many older individuals are badly treated, ignored, as well as subjugated. Several sufferers are people who are elder, weak, as well as defenseless and cannot help themselves and rely heavily on others to meet even their most fundamental requirements. Abusers of elder people are both males and females, and may be relatives, friends, or “trusted others” (Ulsperger & Knottnerus, 2010). Executors of elder abuse can incorporate any person in a position of dependence, power or influence. Family members, neighbors and associates, are all collectively known as relations of dependence, whether the older adult really consider people as reliable or not. A number of perpetrators may groom an older person by building a bond with them, with the intention of establishing a bond of dependence. Older people staying unaccompanied who have no grown children living near are mainly susceptible to ‘grooming’ by neighbors and friends who would look forward to to get control of their assets. The greater part of abusers is family members, usually the older adult's spouse or offspring, even though the form of abuse varies in accordance with the relationship. In several circumstances, “the abuse is domestic violence grown old, a situation in which the abusive behavior of a spouse or partner continues into old age” (Sandell & Hudson, 2010). During the year 2006, “the International Network for Prevention of Elder Abuse (INPEA) selected June 15 as World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD)” (Sandell & Hudson, 2010) and a growing number of events are organized around the globe on this day to increase knowledge of elder abuse, and draw attention towards ways to confront such abuse. Types of elder abuse Physical abuse Physical elder abuse is non-accidental use of strength against an aged individual that causes physical hurt, wound, or injury. This sort of abuse incorporates not just physical attacks such as beating or pushing but the unsuitable use of medicines, restraints, or detention. Emotional abuse In emotional or psychosomatic elder abuse, people talk to or treat aged individuals in ways that become reason for emotional hurt or grief. Verbal types of emotional elder abuse consist of threatening by shouting or warnings, dishonor and ridicule, and usual blaming or ‘scapegoating’. Nonverbal emotional elder abuse can take the shape of disregarding the elderly individual, separating an elder from associates or activities, and frightening or intimidating the elderly person. Disregard or rejection from caregivers Elder disregard, failure to carry out a caretaking responsibility, forms over half of all reported cases of elder abuse. It can be active (also known as deliberate) or passive (also known as unintended). Financial misuse This involves illegal utilization of an elderly person’s finances or belongings, either by a caregiver or by an external fraud. A dishonest caregiver might mistreat an elder’s ‘personal checks, credit cards, or accounts’ (Brandl et al, 2006); steal money, earnings checks, or domestic supplies; copy the elder’s signature; and involve in identity theft. Usual rackets that target elders consist of announcements of a reward that the elderly individual has won but have to give cash to claim; fake charitable trusts; and hoax investment (Brandl et al, 2006). Healthcare deceit and neglect This fraud is carried out by corrupt general practitioners, nurses, hospital staff, in addition to other qualified care providers. Examples of healthcare deceit and neglect concerning elders incorporates not giving healthcare, but getting paid for it, charging too much or billing twice for health care or services, getting payments for recommendations to other care providers or for prescribing some particular medicines, ‘overmedicating or undermedicating’, advising fake remedies for sickness or other health conditions, and Medicaid deception. Symptoms of elder abuse The following are indications of some sort of elder abuse: Regular disagreements or stress between the caregiver and the elderly individual Alterations in character or actions of the elder In the beginning, one might not be familiar with or take seriously the symptoms of elder abuse. They may seem to be symptoms of dementia or indications of the aged individual’s weakness - or caregivers may clarify them that way. Actually, many of the indications and symptoms of elder abuse do have common characteristics with symptoms of psychological weakening, but that does not imply one should dismiss them on the caregiver’s permission. Risk issues with caregivers A number of inexperienced caregivers - including spouses, grown person, other family members and friends - consider taking care of an elder to be gratifying as well as inspiring. However, the everyday jobs as well as demands of care provider, which rise as the elder’s situation worsens, can as well be very traumatic. The strain of elder care can cause psychological as well as physical health concerns that make care providers to suffer exhaustion, become intolerant, and incapable to keep from ‘lashing out against elders’ in their care. With caregivers, major risk factors for elder abuse are failure to deal with pressure (commonly known as lack of resilience); hopelessness, which is regular with caregivers; lack of support from other possible care provider; the caregiver’s opinion that taking care of the elder is oppressive and with no emotional reward; and substance maltreatment (Panel to Review Risk and Prevalence of Elder Abuse and Neglect, 2002). Even care providers in institutional settings can suffer from nervous tension at levels that lead to elder abuse. Nursing home workers may be inclined to elder abuse if they do not have required education, have too many tasks, are inappropriate to care giving, or work in pitiable surroundings. Conclusion “The higher proportion of spousal homicides supports the suggestion that abuse of older women is often a continuation of long term spousal abuse against women. In contrast, the risk of homicide for older men was far greater outside the family than within. This is an important point because the domestic violence of older people is often not recognized, and consequently strategies which have proved effective within the domestic violence arena have not been routinely transferred into circumstances involving the family abuse of older people” (Nerenberg, 2010). A number of older adults may prefer to deny themselves a few physical condition or security advantages, which may not be ‘self-neglect’. This may just be their individual preference. Care providers as well as other responsible people should respect these preferences if the older adult is psychologically well. In some other cases, the older adult may lack the required resources, as a result of poor quality of living or other social circumstances. References Brandl, B., Dyer, C. B., Heisler, C. J., Otto, J. M., Stiegel, L. A. and Thomas, R. W. (2006). Elder Abuse Detection and Intervention: A Collaborative Approach. Springer Publishing Company. Nerenberg, L. (2007). Elder Abuse Prevention: Emerging Trends and Promising Strategies. Springer Publishing Company. Panel to Review Risk and Prevalence of Elder Abuse and Neglect. (2002). Elder Mistreatment: Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation in an Aging America. National Academies Press. Sandell, D. S. and Hudson, L. (2010). Ending Elder Abuse: A Family Guide. Cypress House. Ulsperger, J. and Knottnerus, A. (2010). Elder Care Catastrophe: Rituals of Abuse in Nursing Homes. Paradigm Publishers. Read More